Peach tree named &#39;Snow Bliss&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 
     1. Vigorous, upright tree growth.
 
2. Heavy and regular production of large size fruit.
 
3. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color.
 
4. Firm, white flesh fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.
 
5. Fruit with very good storage and shipping quality.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Snow Bliss’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, ‘Zee Diamond’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,673),‘Earlirich’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,002), ‘Summer Sweet’ Peach(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,070), ‘Super Rich’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,860) and our proprietary non-patented peach seedling selections‘175LE263’, ‘58ZA508’ and ‘159LE553’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.as a first generation cross between two proprietary peach seedlings withthe field identification numbers ‘175LE263’ (non-patented) and ‘58ZA508’(non-patented). The seed parent ‘175LE263’ (non-patented) originated asa first generation cross between ‘Zee Diamond’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 9,673) and ‘Earlirich’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,002). The pollenparent ‘58ZA508’ (non-patented) originated as a first generation crossbetween ‘Super Rich’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,860) and ourproprietary white flesh peach seedling ‘159LE553’ (non-patented). Alarge group of these first generation seedlings were grown andmaintained on their own root system and under close and carefulobservation we recognized the desirable fruit and tree characteristicsof the present new variety and selected it in 2003 for asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree wasby budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by usin our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows thatreproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics ofthe tree and its fruit are established and transmitted throughsucceeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of peach tree is of large size, vigorous, upright growthand a productive and regular bearer of large size, firm, white flesh,clingstone fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. The fruit isfurther characterized by having an attractive red skin color and goodhandling and storage quality. In comparison to its seed parent‘175LE263’ peach (non-patented) the fruit of the new variety has whiteflesh compared to yellow and ripens approximately 17 days later. Incomparison to its pollen. parent ‘58ZA508’ peach (non-patented) thefruit of the new variety ripens approximately 7 days earlier. Incomparison to the commercial variety ‘Summer Sweet’ Peach (U.S. PlantPat. No. 8,070) the fruit of the new variety has a higher degree of redskin color, is clingstone instead of freestone and the fruit ripensapproximately 7 days earlier.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 8 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of8 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2.5 meters the first            growing season. Varies slightly with type and fertility of            soil, climatic conditions and cultural practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, normal fruit thinning necessary            for desirable market size fruit. Fruit set varies with            climatic conditions during blooming season.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 5 consecutive years.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, pruning to open center of tree to            vase shape desirable to enhance fruit color and keep fruit            wood healthy.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 850 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large, circumference of 45.7 cm at 30.5 cm above the            ground on a 8 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 1OYR 3/4 to 2.5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 16.4 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average 23 in a 25.8 sq cm section. Average            length 3.7 mm. Average width 2.0 mm. Color varies from 7. YR            6/8 to 7.5YR 5/8.        -   Color.—New growth 5GY 6/8 with 5R 3/8 where exposed to the            sun. Old growth varies from 10YR 3/4 to 2.5Y 4/2, varies            with age of growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 141.5 mm. Average width 41.0 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly            indented over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both surfaces glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 11.1 mm. Average width 1.6 mm.            Surface — glabrous. Longitudinally grooved. Color — 5GY 5/8.        -   Glands.—Reniform. Size — medium to large. Average length            1.5 mm. Average diameter 0.8 mm. Number varies from 1 to 4,            average number 2. Located primarily on the base of the leaf            blade and the upper portion of the petiole. Color — 5GY 3/6.        -   Stipules.—None present.        -   Color.—Upper surface 7.5GY 3/2 to lOGY 3/2. Lower surface            10GY 3/4 to 2.5G3/2. Midvein color 5GY 5/2 to 7.5GY 5/2.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 22.9 mm. Average diameter 14.7            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Plump, conical, becoming elongated before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.7 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 2.5GY 5/8.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 7/8 to 7.5RP 6/2.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Mar. 5, 2011. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 13, 2011, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 22.1 mm. Average diameter            50.4 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to the sepals. Form            — nearly globose, base narrows at point of attachment.            Margin — sinuate. Average length 21.6 mm. Average width            19.5 mm. Color varies from 5RP 7/8 to 5RP 9/2, fades with            age of flower.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to the petals.            Shape- ovate, apex rounded. Margin — entire. Average length            7.0 mm. Average width 5.7 mm. Upper surface glabrous, lower            surface pubescent. Color — upper surface varies from 2.5GY            5/8 to 5R 3/4. Lower surface varies from 7.5R 2/4 to 7.5R            2/6.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 42. Average filament            length 16.4 mm. Filament color N 9.5/ (white) to 5RP 8/6 as            flower ages. Anther color varies from 10R 4/10 to 1OR 3/8.        -   Pollen.—Self-fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/10 to 2.5Y            7/12.        -   Pistil.—Normally 1. Surface — pubescent. Average length            20.1 mm. Position of stigma even with anthers. Color varies            from 10Y 8/6 to 2.5GY 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 9/2 to 5RP 7/6.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—One.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.4 mm. Average width 2.1 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/6.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 27, 2011.        -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 5, 2011, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 66.2 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 77.6 mm. Average weight 258.4            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.        -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Flat to slightly retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 6.2 mm. Average diameter 8.6 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 10.0 mm. Average diameter 2.4            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 5/6.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Relatively even.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty, crisp.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Good, holds firm on the tree for 6 to 7 days past            maturity.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, sweet, mild, low-acid flavor.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 14.0°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from R-Y 8/5Y to 7.5Y 9/4.        -   Size of pit cavity.—Average length 42.0 mm. Average width            27.7 mm. Average depth 10.8 mm. Color varies from 5Y 9/4 to            5Y 8/4.-   Skin    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Present, moderate amount.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 5Y 8.5/2 to 7.5Y 9/2.            Overspread with 7.5R 3/8 to 7.5R 3/6.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—None.-   Stone    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Large. Average length 37.2 mm. Average width 26.2 mm.            Average thickness 20.5 mm.        -   Form.—Obovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 1.2 mm.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from rounded to            slightly elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, with one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Numerous small ridges extending further from base to            apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 5/6 to 10R 3/8 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 19.1 mm. Average width            11.7 mm. Average depth 6.3        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Good, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/4 to 7.5Y 9/4.-   Use:    -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage at 38° to 42° F.    for 3 weeks without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss    of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh    during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. The present new variety of    peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary    in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural    practices under which the variety may be grown. The present    description is that of the variety grown under the ecological    conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica),substantially as illustrated and described.